Continuous rainfall and waterlogging in Sunamganj’s Haor region are threatening to shatter farmers’ dreams, with ripe paddy going under water and harvested crops rotting in yards, farmers and officials said on Wednesday.
Across the Haors, ripe Boro paddy stands in fields while golden grains lie wet in yards, waiting for sunshine that never comes. In some areas, farmers struggle to save submerged crops. Many are staying in the fields with their families, but all efforts seem futile against the relentless rain.
Harvest figures vs ground reality
According to the agriculture department, Boro paddy was cultivated on 2,23,511 hectares of land in Sunamganj this season, of which 1,06,529 hectares — about 47 percent — have been harvested.
But farmers say only about 20 percent of the paddy is currently in the yards. Due to rain, they cannot dry the paddy to bring it home.
Official data shows waterlogging and floodwater have damaged 7,057 hectares. However, local farmers and organisations claim at least 20,000 hectares of ripe paddy have already gone under water.
Labour, machinery crisis
A severe labour shortage has further complicated matters. In many places, workers are unavailable even at higher wages. Some farmers are forced to harvest under “Noyonbhaga” contracts, giving up large portions of their crop. Yet even harvested paddy cannot be taken home.
Combine harvesters cannot be deployed due to standing water. Some machines lie idle due to fuel shortages.
‘No sleep, no hope’
Jhantu Chandra Das, a farmer from Ashanpur village in Bhandabil Haor, Shalla upazila, said he had to stand in chest-deep water to harvest paddy. “What I managed to harvest, I couldn’t save. Even threshed paddy was submerged by overnight rain. I can’t sleep at night worrying about the paddy. This crop is our only hope for the whole year,” he said.
Rayhan Mia from Bharam Haor echoed helplessness: “The paddy is sprouting. We can’t dry it due to rain. Our only hope was the paddy. Now it’s all going under water. The government hasn’t looked after us at all.”
Massive losses feared
Mizanur Rahman, president of the Sunamganj Haor, River and Environment Protection Movement, said at least 30,000 hectares of Boro paddy have been destroyed by waterlogging. “The agriculture department’s statistics show much lower damage. The claim that 50-60 percent has been harvested is absolutely incorrect,” he said.
Professor Chittaranjan Talukder, vice-president of the Haor Bachao Andolan, said farmers face massive losses. “The local authorities’ damage statistics will deprive Haor farmers of government assistance. There is no connection between paper statistics and reality.”
Flood warning
The Sunamganj Water Development Board had earlier urged farmers to harvest 80 percent of ripe paddy by 28 April. Officials have warned of flood risks due to hill runoff and heavy rainfall.
Mamun Howlader, executive engineer of the Sunamganj Water Development Board, said weather forecasts indicate rain may continue until 3 May. “A sudden flood situation may arise. Our personnel are ready to repair embankments if needed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sylhet Weather Office recorded 127.2 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, and water levels in the Surma, Kushiyara, Piyain and Sarigowain rivers are rising steadily. All rivers currently flow below danger levels, but water may rise further if upstream rainfall continues.
